Corrugated tubing is used when cables, wires, pneumatic lines or fluid lines need protection while passing through moving or confined areas.
In industrial automation, robotics, machine tools and chemical equipment, the right material depends on what the tube needs to protect and the environment around it.
LANGCHI provides corrugated tubes and custom extrusion products in PFA, PTFE, FEP, PA, PE and PP for different industrial applications.
Where Is Corrugated Tubing Used?
Corrugated tubing is commonly used for:
- Cable and wire protection
- Robot and automation equipment
- CNC machine tools
- Industrial machinery
- Electrical equipment
- Pneumatic line protection
- Chemical equipment
- Automotive equipment
For moving equipment, the corrugated structure allows the tube to bend while keeping cables or lines inside the protective path. Industrial cable-protection systems also use flexible conduits for machinery and automation applications.
Corrugated Hose for Cable and Wire Protection
When electrical cables run through a machine, they may be exposed to bending, abrasion, dust, oil or mechanical contact.
A cable protection tube or flexible conduit can be installed around the wiring to provide an additional protective layer.
Typical applications include:
- Industrial automation
- Robot arms
- CNC machines
- Machine tools
- Control cabinets
- Automotive equipment
- Electrical wiring
For robotic equipment, the conduit also needs to accommodate repeated movement and bending. Flexible protection systems are commonly used for robotic and automation installations.
Which Material Should Be Used?
Different applications require different tube materials.
| Material | Main Application | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| PFA Corrugated Tubing | Chemical and high-purity systems | Chemical resistance and clean fluid paths |
| PTFE Corrugated Tubing | Chemical and high-temperature systems | Chemical resistance and temperature resistance |
| FEP Corrugated Tubing | Laboratory and fluid systems | Transparency and chemical resistance |
| PA / Nylon Corrugated Tubing | Cable and wire protection | Mechanical protection and flexibility |
| PE / PP Corrugated Tubing | General cable protection | Lightweight protection and routing |
PFA Corrugated Tubing
PFA corrugated tubing can be used when the tube needs to handle chemical media or high-purity fluids.
Typical applications include:
- Chemical transfer
- Semiconductor equipment
- Laboratory equipment
- High-purity fluid systems
- Chemical processing equipment
The material should be selected according to the actual chemical, temperature and pressure.
PTFE Corrugated Tubing
PTFE corrugated tubing is used for applications involving chemical media and higher temperatures.
Typical applications include:
- Chemical equipment
- Pharmaceutical equipment
- Food processing equipment
- Chemical transfer
- High-temperature fluid lines
PTFE corrugated hoses are commonly used for aggressive media in chemical and pharmaceutical applications. Commercial PTFE corrugated hose products also cover low- and medium-pressure applications.
For LANGCHI PTFE products, the actual operating temperature and pressure should be confirmed according to the specific tube structure and specification.
FEP Corrugated Tubing
FEP tubing can be considered when transparency is useful for checking the condition or movement of the fluid inside the tube.
Applications can include:
- Laboratory equipment
- Analytical equipment
- Chemical fluid lines
- Electrical insulation
- Industrial fluid transfer
The actual application should be checked against the required temperature, pressure and chemical compatibility.
PA / Nylon Corrugated Tubing for Cable Protection
Nylon corrugated tubing is mainly used as a protective sleeve or conduit for cables and wires.
It can be used around:
- Robot wiring
- CNC machine wiring
- Automotive wiringgIndustrial control cables
- Pneumatic lines
- Electrical cables
Nylon flexible conduits are commonly used in machinery and equipment construction for cable routing and protection.
How Do You Choose Corrugated Hose?
The selection can start with five questions:
1. What needs to be protected?
Cable, wire, pneumatic line or fluid line?
2. Will the tube move?
For robot arms and moving machinery, check the bending radius and movement frequency.
3. What is the working environment?
Check temperature, chemicals, oil, dust, water and mechanical contact.
4. What material is required?
Choose PFA, PTFE, FEP, PA, PE or PP according to the application.
5. What dimensions are required?
Confirm the inner diameter, outer diameter, corrugation pitch, wall thickness and installation length.
Can Corrugated Tubing Be Customized?
Yes.
For equipment manufacturers, custom corrugated tubing can be produced according to the required dimensions and application.
LANGCHI can customize:
- Material
- Inner diameter
- Outer diameter
- Wall thickness
- Corrugation pitch
- Length
- Color
- Packaging
- Printing
- Customer drawings
For OEM projects, providing the equipment application, installation space and required dimensions helps determine the appropriate tube structure.
Corrugated Hose for Industrial Machinery
In industrial machinery, one machine may require several types of protective tubing.
For example:
Robot arm → PA / Nylon cable protection
Chemical line → PFA or PTFE corrugated tube
Laboratory equipment → FEP or PFA tube
CNC machine → Flexible conduit for cable and line protection
The material should be selected according to the actual function of the tube rather than using one material for every part of the machine.
LANGCHI Flexible Corrugated Hose and Custom Extrusion
LANGCHI manufactures thermoplastic tubing and custom extrusion products for industrial automation, machinery, cable protection and fluid transfer.
Available materials include PFA, PTFE, FEP, PA, PE and PP, with customized dimensions and structures available for OEM applications.
For a custom project, provide the application, material requirement, tube dimensions, operating temperature, pressure and installation conditions. These specifications can be used to determine the appropriate corrugated tube structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is corrugated tubing used for?
It is used to protect cables, wires, pneumatic lines and fluid lines in industrial equipment and automation systems.
What is the difference between corrugated tubing and flexible conduit?
Corrugated tubing is a tube with a corrugated structure. Flexible conduit is a broader term commonly used for cable and wire protection systems. The two terms can overlap depending on the application.
What material is used for cable protection?
PA, nylon, PE and PP are commonly used for cable protection. The material depends on temperature, flexibility, abrasion and environmental requirements.
Can PTFE be used for corrugated Hose?
Yes. PTFE corrugated tubing is used for chemical and temperature-related applications where the material is compatible with the working conditions.
Can corrugated tubing be used on robot arms?
Yes. Flexible cable protection systems are used in robotic and automation installations where cables experience repeated movement.
